India - Digital Permanent Establishment (Significant Economic Presence)

India - Digital Permanent Establishment (Significant Economic Presence)

Are there rules for taxing digital services

Rules have been brought in the statute, detailed guidelines are awaited.

Applicable date

01/04/2022

Nature of tax

Corporate Income tax.

Tax rate

40% on net basis.

Affected business models/in-scope activities

Indian statute has provided a detailed definition of Significant Economic presence which also includes digital or virtual presence. The thresholds for such digital/virtual presence are also in the process of being prescribed (discussed in detail in subsequent column).

No specific business model mentioned.

Revenue stream in scope

The revenue stream includes:
(I) such advertisement which targets a customer who resides in India or a customer who accesses the advertisement through internet protocol address located in India;
(ii) sale of data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India; and
(iii) sale of goods or services using data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India.

However, the above is the inclusive list and is not exhaustive. Any revenue generated from activities covered under the definition of significant economic presence would also be included.

In scope of tax treaties?

The provisions are subject to the application of tax treaties which may restrict the ability of India to tax the relevant profits, depending on the facts. Tax treaties are not yet modified to include Significant economic presence.

Thresholds / de-minimis

While the threshold have not been finalised, but it has been issued for public comments. Such threshold issued for public comment are as under:
1. Transaction in respect of any goods, services or property carried out by a non-resident with any person in India including provision of download of data or software in India, if the aggregate of payments arising from such transaction or transactions during the previous year exceeds INR 200 million, or;
2.Systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging in interaction with 500,000 users above users in India, as may be prescribed

Only so much of income as is attributable to the transactions or activities referred to above shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India
The income attributable to the operations carried out in India, shall include income from:
(I) such advertisement which targets a customer who resides in India or a customer who accesses the advertisement through internet protocol address located in India;
(ii) sale of data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India; and
(iii) sale of goods or services using data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India.

The threshold are yet to be notified.

Deduction or credit for recipient (DST only)

This will be considered as regular corporate tax and foreign tax credit may be availed as per regular provisions of domestic law or treaty.

Exemptions

The Rules are yet to be notified.

Revenue or profits based tax

Profit attributable to cover activities vis a vis India.

Revenue in scope

The revenue stream includes:
(i) such advertisement which targets a customer who resides in India or a customer who accesses the advertisement through internet protocol address located in India;
(ii) sale of data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India; and
(iii) sale of goods or services using data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India.

However, the above is the inclusive list and is not exhaustive. Any revenue generated from activities covered under the definition of significant economic presence would also be included.

Who do these rules apply to

To non-resident whose income accrues or arises in India attributable to the Significant Economic Presence. SEP has been defined as under:
1. Transaction in respect of any goods, services or property carried out by a non-resident with any person in India including provision of download of data or software in India, if the aggregate of payments arising from such transaction or transactions during the previous year exceeds INR 200 million, or;
2.Systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging in interaction with 500,000 users above users in India, as may be prescribed

Threshold are yet to be notified.

Reporting / Compliance obligations

Rules are yet to be notified.

OECD membership

No.

As at

27/05/2021

BDO local resources BDO in India

 

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